2025 Arkansas Environmental & Outdoor Education Conference

Water is a fundamental element for life, and land use practices can significantly influence both human health and the quality of freshwater sources. Exploring these complex issues with students becomes both engaging and relevant when incorporating real-world examples, especially local water quality data. Involving students in data collection offers an impactful learning experience and strengthens their understanding of a land ethic. This presentation will spotlight three organizations that are actively gathering water quality data and implementing best management practices to safeguard watershed health and potable water supplies. We will examine both digital and physical resources available to educators, enabling them to integrate these data and concepts into their curriculum. The resources introduced will bridge core disciplinary concepts with NGSS science and engineering practices, leveraging real-world data to enhance students' learning experiences.
Taget audience: Classroom teachers, 6 grade - higher education, Non-formal educators

This session will provide an update on the development of new core competencies for outdoor recreation professionals, an initiative supported by major national and federal agencies. Over the next year, these competencies—spanning knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences—will guide workforce development across both public and private sectors. Key areas of focus include environmental stewardship, leadership, cultural competency, and program management. Attendees will gain insight into how these evolving standards will shape recruitment, training, and professional growth in outdoor recreation. Join us for an informative discussion on the future of the field and its impact on workforce readiness. Participants will understand the key core competencies being developed for outdoor recreation professionals and their role in workforce development. Participants will be able to identify how these competencies will impact recruitment, training, and professional growth in both the public and private sectors.
Target audience: Classroom teachers, PreK-higher education; Program administrators; Non-formal education

Discover the transformative power of nature to support the well-being of environmental educators. This session explores research-based strategies that harness the natural environment to reduce stress, build resilience, and enhance mental and physical health. Participants will learn evidence-based practices such as mindfulness in nature, restorative outdoor activities and how to create a calming environment inside the educational space. Gain actionable tools and insights to rejuvenate personal well-being while fostering a healthier, more sustainable educational community. Whether you’re seeking renewal or strategies to support your team, this session equips you to thrive in harmony with the natural world.

This Mindfulness and Nature session will begin with a slideshow presentation with background information, research evidence of the many wellness benefits of both mindfulness activities and exposure to and interaction with nature, as well as recommendations for including mindfulness and nature in schools, informal education settings, and ideally all people’s daily lives! Following the slideshow, Liz Hill will lead participants through multiple hands-on mindfulness-based activities which are particularly suited to outdoor/natural environments. While Liz has primarily led these activities with elementary aged children, they are adaptable to any age group, and she has tried them in both formal and non-formal settings, thus this session has no specific target audience. Attendees will be inspired to integrate more mindfulness and nature into their lives.
Target audience: Classroom teachers, PreK-12 grade, Non-formal educators

1. Recess provides children with the opportunity for outdoor learning, socialization, and play. Physical activity during recess contributes to children’s overall physical activity. An ongoing research study by UAMS in partnership with UA Fayetteville is producing new insights on greenspace and playground design to improve recess among K-5 students. The purpose of this panel session is share insights from this study. Specifically, conference participants will learn about the following: (1) Playground features conducive to physical activity during recess and differences by age and gender. (2) Whether recess experiences differ meaningfully for children who have obesity or severe obesity. (3) The impact of temperature and air quality on physical activity during recess. (4) Recess best practices for schools to improve recess experiences and promote physical activity.
Target audience: Classroom teachers, PreK-5 grade, Classroom educators, higher education, School administrators, Non-formal educators, Program directors

2. This interactive presentation explores the synergy of a place-based pedagogy, emphasizing mindful social-affective nature pedagogy with culturally and linguistically diverse learners aged 5-75. The presentation will showcase new research, advancements in practice, and innovative ideas that demonstrate the powerful connection between health and nature, fostering audience conversation and exploration through concrete examples. Experience nature-based activities that nurture social-emotional growth while recognizing our interconnectedness with well-being and the sustainability of our planet. If you are an educator, environmental professional, or work with underserved communities and are passionate about place-based education, nature instruction, and integrating social-emotional mindfulness, we encourage your participation.
Target audience: Classroom teachers, PreK-higher education, School administrators, Non-formal educators, Program directors

Climate change is a complex topic that can be intimidating to teach. However, understanding climate, including the ways it is changing and how that impacts the environment, is crucial to making informed decisions and building resilience. This training will introduce the Climate, Water, Resilience educator guidebook
from Project WET which include 9 activities to incorporate climate change topics into your lesson plans or programs. This training is open to formal and non-formal educators and activities are created with Middle and High School age students in mind.
Target audience: Classroom teachers, 6-8 grade; Classroom teachers, 9-12 grade; Non-formal educators